Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Viperidae, Subfamily: Crotalinae, Genus: Crotalus, Species: Crotalus horridus
Venomous Status
Venomous; Solenoglyphous (long, retractable front fangs).
Danger Level
Extremely Dangerous; this species is large with high venom yield. While the bite frequency is relatively low due to their shy nature, a bite represents a severe medical emergency.
Geographic Range
Eastern North America, ranging from southern New Hampshire and central Vermont, south to north Florida, and west to southeastern Nebraska and eastern Texas.
Conservation Status
IUCN Least Concern (though many state-level classifications list them as Endangered or Threatened due to habitat loss and persecution).
Physical Description
Heavy-bodied snake with a broad, triangular head and a distinctive rattle. Dorsal pattern consists of dark brown or black crossbands or v-shaped chevrons on a gray, tan, or yellowish background. A dark stripe is often present behind the eye. Scales are heavily keeled.
Size & Dimensions
Typically 91–152 cm (36–60 in) in length. Large males can exceed 180 cm (70 in). This specimen appears to be an adult based on the developed rattle string.
Habitat
Found in deciduous forests in rugged terrain. In northern ranges, they prefer rocky, south-facing hillsides for denning; southern populations inhabit lowland cane forests and floodplains.
Behavior & Temperament
Generally shy and reclusive. They rely on camouflage and often remain motionless when approached. If threatened, they will coil and rattle loudly. They are primarily crepuscular or nocturnal during hot summer months.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized ambush predator. They feed primarily on small mammals such as squirrels, chipmunks, and mice, as well as occasional birds. They hunt by waiting near scent trails and striking with venom.
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous (gives birth to live young). Females reproduce every 2–4 years, giving birth to 5–20 neonates in late summer or early fall.
Venom & Safety
Venom Type
Primarily hemotoxic and cytotoxic, causing tissue damage and blood clotting issues. However, some southern populations (Type B) exhibit neurotoxic properties (Canebrake variant).
First Aid Advice
Seek immediate emergency medical attention. Keep the victim calm and still; keep the bitten limb at or slightly below heart level. Do not use tourniquets or attempt to 'suck out' the venom. Antivenom (CroFab) is the standard treatment.
Look-alikes
Often confused with the Eastern Diamondback (which has distinct diamond shapes with light borders) or the Northern Copperhead (which lacks a rattle and has hourglass-shaped bands).
Conservation Status
IUCN Least Concern (though many state-level classifications list them as Endangered or Threatened due to habitat loss and persecution).
Cultural Significance
Iconic in North American history; it was the symbol of the 'Join, or Die' cartoon and the Gadsden flag ('Don't Tread on Me'). It holds spiritual significance for many Indigenous tribes.
Notable Features
Features a complex keratinous rattle used as a warning signal. They possess heat-sensing pits between the eye and nostril, allowing them to 'see' the infrared signatures of warm-blooded prey.